Just More To It
Lush,
I do appreciate and understand your observations. Tolkien's catholicism may have had a role in shaping his views on sexuality, which either colored or suppressed his characterizations and scenes in the Books.
Still there isn't much there that is necessarily suggestive, intentional or otherwise. The Beren & Lúthien story is clearly a romance with passion, but a perfectly traditional one in my view.
Also, I think given the times and real world of Tolkien, which was very different from our own, I could easily see him growing up Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian or something else, and being no less conservative with sexual issues in terms of writings to be printed, which is not to say that there weren't contemporary writers of different values (think Joyce).
While there is some intriguing imagery and symbolism that one can associate with Catholic liturgy and traditions, it does not seem to rise to the level of being either essential or deliberate. I for one am of the camp that holds that at a very profound level, the Lord of the Rings is heavily wrought with Tolkien's Christianity, but in rather ecumenical way, or perhaps fundamental way.
__________________
The hoes unrecked in the fields were flung, __ and fallen ladders in the long grass lay __ of the lush orchards; every tree there turned __ its tangled head and eyed them secretly, __ and the ears listened of the nodding grasses; __ though noontide glowed on land and leaf, __ their limbs were chilled.
|